“He’s so talented but he constantly demands the best out of himself.”
Erik ten Hag’s 2017 comments about Cristiano Ronaldo have resurfaced following the Dutch coach’s appointment as the next Manchester United manager.
On Thursday, Ajax coach Ten Hag was announced as the new Red Devils manager, and he will succeed interim boss Ralf Rangnick in the summer.
Many are questioning how Cristiano Ronaldo will fit into Ten Hag’s plans, but it appears that the 52-year-old is a fan of the Portugal captain.
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The new First-Team Manager of Manchester United: Erik ten Hag.#MUFC || #WelcomeErik
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 21, 2022
Ten Hag on Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ten Hag spoke about Ronaldo during his time as Utrecht manager in 2017. He pinpointed Ronaldo’s ability to time a header, which “takes thousands of hours in training.”
The 52-year-old highlighted Ronaldo’s talent whilst supplementing it with hard work. “His heading, his jump, his timing. That takes thousands of hours of training, like with his free-kicks and kicking technique,” Ten Hag said.
“He’s so talented but he constantly demands the best out of himself. That’s the difference with the subtop.”
The Duch coach evidently admires the United legend, but both Ronaldo and Ten Hag may evaluate the situation in the summer, with the 37-year-old not a natural fit for his high-pressing style. Ronaldo has one year left on his contract at the club.
Erik ten Hag is the new Manchester United manager.
Ten Hag put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Old Trafford. Mitchell van der Gaag will join Ten Hag as his assistant, having worked together at Ajax this season.
The current Ajax manager will be tasked with overhauling United’s squad in the summer, with Rangnick suggesting that the club could need to make up to 10 signings this summer.
Ten Hag has a big job on his hands deciding which current members of the Man United squad warrant a place in his team for next season.
Questions have been raised about Ronaldo’s future, however, the Portugal captain is United’s top scorer this season with 21 goals in all competitions.
Related links:
- Man United announce appointment of Erik ten Hag as their new permanent manager.
- De Gea and Alexander-Arnold square up during Liverpool goal celebration.
- ‘It’s not the club I played for’ – Roy Keane on Man United’s 4-0 loss to Liverpool.
